When we were in Vatican City in the afternoon, we skipped the plaza. We came back in the early…read moreevening and it was much less crowded. The square is directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica. Both are named after Saint Peter, an apostle of Jesus whom Catholics consider the first Pope. There is an obelisk in the center and 284 columns that create the elliptical shape of the square.

This is the area around the Vatican…read more It's gorgeous! I absolutely love the fountains and statues in this area. So much amazing architecture. When you step into this piazza, I feel like you get a sense of the Holy Spirit. I mean, how can you not when you are so close to the Vatican? There's a peaceful atmosphere here.

The Trevi Fountain is every bit as breathtaking and majestic in person as it looks in pictures. The…read moresheer scale of the baroque sculpture work carved right out of the building's facade is astonishing, with the clear aqua water rushing beneath Oceanus creating a stunning spectacle. That said, the crowds are intense. By mid-day, the piazza is wall-to-wall people, making it tricky to reach the water's edge, let alone take in the details without being jostled. The secret to enjoying it is all about timing: go early in the morning (around 7:00 AM) to catch it in the quiet morning light, or late at night when the crowds thin out and the fountain is dramatically illuminated. Tossing a coin over your left shoulder to guarantee a return trip to Rome may be a classic tourist tradition, but doing it in front of this masterpiece is an absolute must.

This is one of the most overhyped areas in Rome, in my humble opinion. After being in Las Vegas 7…read moreweeks ago, Husband's first words were, "Looks just like Caesar's Palace." And he was right! Dang him! It was crowded, and a line of people were waiting to pay 2€ for an up close look. We decided not to do that. We got a selfie and a photo of the Fountain and we were good. By the way, I did throw a coin into the Fountain at night in 1967 when there were no crowds and no payment to see it up close. Wishes do come true, as I returned, and this time with the love of my life for the past 46 years.

The Piazza della Repubblica is beautiful at night and during the day. Highly recommend doing a bus…read moretour at some point in your visit so that you can capture images and relax as you pass by several highlighted points of interest. There is no cost to see the fountain; however, if you do a bus tour, there is a slight fee but it is good all day. The Piazza isn't overly crowded; however, if viewing from the bus, you will want to be on top in the open air - which can be a hit/miss for crowds. This is great for people that want to see the points of interest in Rome.

Agree with some of the other reviews that this piazza is one that's nice to walk thru while in the…read moreneighborhood, though not necessary to make a special stop. This square is also known as Piazza dell'Esedra, which comes from the semi-circular shape or "exedran" of the buildings originally here from the times of the ancient Roman baths. Aside from the Basilica dei Santa Maria degli Angeli e dei Martiri (Basilica of Saint Mary of the Angels), of which that facade predates the balance, the porticoed buildings surrounding this traffic circle were all built in the mid 19th century featuring concave facades by architect Gaetano Koch, to complement the circular fountain--Fontana delle Naiadi (Fountain of the Naiads) in the middle. Very convenient for public transportation, there are several bus stops within a block from the piazza, the Repubblica metro station entrance is directly in the square, and it's less than five minutes walk to the Roma Termini train station. For driving this roundabout is the north terminus of Via Nazionale. For more info: https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/piazza-della-repubblica

Cool Piazza at the Northern City Wall and also a gateway to Villa Borghese. This piazza has an…read moreobelisk, two churches, two fountains and also restaurants. There is a huge shopping area with parallel streets of shops, one that goes to Piazza di Spagna, at the base of the Spanish Steps. Five Stars!

I came I saw and I conquered. Wow, what a great place is this blessed City. You could spend hours…read morein this area. Great restaurants and shopping too.

Yet another review, I'd meant to post:…read more Surrounded by a beautiful piazza, Colonna di Marco Aurelio is easy to miss. But don't. The towering marble column in Piazza Colonna is packed with intricate carvings detailing the emperor's military campaigns. It's like a 2nd-century novel spiraling to the sky. No crowds. Gorgeous details. You can't climb it, but you can admire it. A quick and unforgettable stop!

"Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one."…read more-Marcus Aurelius This massive 97 foot tall column dates back to at least 193 AD and was built to honor Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius. It tells the story of the Marcomannic wars from 172 to 175. The column stands in the center of Piazza Colonna and at night, it is beautifully lit. I did not have the opportunity to return during the daytime but was still able to appreciate the majesty and craftsmanship of the column that is now close to 2000 years old. Amazing. [Review 19194 overall - 349 in Italy - 164 of 2023.]

There is no cost for walking around the premises of the Castel Sant'Angelo. It does take some time…read moreto walk around the entire building. There are lots of people that visit this landmark; however, it is not overly crowded. The atmosphere is chill, people are just walking around and taking pictures. The landmark is best for people wanting to see the sites of Rome, love history, and architecture. Overall it is a great experience in Rome. You do need to be cautious of people who are trying to engage you in conversation and give you a bracelet, They will start out by saying nice shoes or commenting on your skin color. My husband was a mark throughout all the cities in Rome. Unfortunately, we did engage in a conversation with the person and ultimately got robbed - yes robbed of 30 euros. The man literally grabbed the money out of my hand and began to run away.

Castel Sant' Angelo along the Tiber River, is one of Rome's most captivating landmarks. The…read morestructure is huge and daunting. It was originally built as Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum nearly 2,000 years ago, the castle later became a fortress, a papal refuge, a prison, and eventually a museum.. What makes Castel Sant'Angelo especially memorable is the atmosphere. The thick stone walls, hidden passageways, and spiral ramps. The angel statue atop the castle gives the entire site a dramatic, almost theatrical presence.

Wonderful spot to come and visit to walk in the steps of historical Rome grounds. Walk the Spanish…read moresteps and take some great pictures here. 5 stars and grazie!

We arrived in the evening, and the whole area was still bustling, it genuinely felt like the city…read morewas alive around us. There's something about seeing a landmark like this lit up and full of energy after dark that hits differently than the daytime crowds you always hear about. The panoramic views from the top were beautiful. Even with the chill in the air, it was worth the climb just to take in that view over the city. I get why this place is so popular, there's a certain magic to it that photos don't quite capture. My only regret is not having more time to just sit at the fountain and take it all in, soaking up the atmosphere instead of rushing off to the next stop. Next time in Rome, we'll definitely return here again to get some more day time photos

I'm a huge fan of old architecture, so this was pretty cool…read more It was close to the train station, so we stumbled onto it by accident. It wasn't crowded, but it was a nice stop. If you're in the area, it's a pretty cool spot.

We captured our picture while on a tour bus at night. The fountain in beautiful and there is no…read morecost to see the fountain. You can spend less than 30 minutes visiting the fountain. The area is not crowded. This point of interest is best for people who enjoy architecture, history, and art.

The Vatican Museums are vast and absolutely beautiful from the tapestries, to the sculptures, to…read morethe frescoes. Pictures do not capture the beauty of the art that has been collected over the years by the Vatican. This is an extraordinary experience for people who enjoy art, history, and religion. Highly recommend doing a tour that includes the Vatican, Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. The early morning tour is the best to avoid the crowds and the lines. The downside of the tour is that there is so much to see in the museums - so the tour is a great way to start and then to go back and spend time in each of the museums to fully enjoy the experience. For a full list and description you can visit the Vatican's website https://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/collezioni/musei/galleria-arazzi.html

Incredible collection of art, mostly but not all Christian. Even if you're not of the faith, the…read morecollection is staggering in scope and it is well worth a visit. The standouts for me were the Sistine Chapel and the hall of maps. The Chapel is a master work of art that you've seen, at least in part, a thousand times. Still, looking up to see the frescos with your own eyes is an awe-inspiring experience. The hall of maps is an impressive seemingly purpose-built installation on its own. Coming across it midst endless sculptures makes it all the more impressive. You can hit the highlights in about an hour if you must but the wait can be long. Book skip the line tickets unless you're prepared to spend just as long waiting outside as you will in the museums no matter the weather!